Airborne Col/Brig Beret. Thoughts please.

[rizzo]

This beret was posted on a Facebook site. The poster claims it as genuine. I said I didn't agree because the back of the badge was black and not maroon. He replied that during the war and into the 50's the black one was worn. Does anybody know when the maroon ones were introduced?. As you can see from the pictures this one has the Queens crown, so must be at least seven years after the war. Your expert views would be very welcome on this gentlemen. Thank you in advance.

[Frank Kelley]

I don't think Staff and General officers did have their beret badges embroidered onto maroon actually during the war, unlike some of the Corps subalterns and field rankers, it is a little difficult and you can only go off surviving examples that have a provenance.

Originally Posted by rizzo

This beret was posted on a Facebook site. The poster claims it as genuine. I said I didn't agree because the back of the badge was black and not maroon. He replied that during the war and into the 50's the black one was worn. Does anybody know when the maroon ones were introduced?. As you can see from the pictures this one has the Queens crown, so must be at least seven years after the war. Your expert views would be very welcome on this gentlemen. Thank you in advance.

[rizzo]

Thank you for that Frank, do you think a staff officer would purchase his own beret without a real leather band?, and the back of the beret?. If I had gone on parade with a knot like that in the back of mine, my sergeant major would have kicked me into the middle of next week.:

[JerryBB]

Nice to see my images shared here without my permission and my knowledge of headgear called into question behind my back.

I am more than happy to debate the matter here but being asked would have been polite.

The beret is a one looker mid 1950's officers private purchase beret with a textbook ribbed silk edge trim for the period.

[jdr]

Originally Posted by JBBOND

Nice to see my images shared here without my permission and my knowledge of headgear called into question behind my back.

I am more than happy to debate the matter here but being asked would have been polite.

The beret is a one looker mid 1950's officers private purchase beret with a textbook ribbed silk edge trim for the period.

It’s okay you get thick skin after a while and don’t care!

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by jdr

It’s okay you get thick skin after a while and don’t care!

Lol.

I had intended to post it in the headgear section once I had the time.....

[Frank Kelley]

An officer would have little choice but to purchase his own berets and he would certainly have more than one, I would be happy with the beret shown.

Originally Posted by rizzo

Thank you for that Frank, do you think a staff officer would purchase his own beret without a real leather band?, and the back of the beret?. If I had gone on parade with a knot like that in the back of mine, my sergeant major would have kicked me into the middle of next week.:

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

An officer would have little choice but to purchase his own berets and he would certainly have more than one, I would be happy with the beret shown.

In response to Rizzo's comment about officers chosing leather banded berets;

And at risk of repeating myself, during WWII and after, officers berets were ribbed silk, it was only in the 1970/80's that the unpopular other ranks beret with a ribbed cloth band was introduced, prior to that only officers berets had the ribbed banding.

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Jerry,
Sorry, I don't understand, are suggesting that no British Army officer in WW2 wore a beret with a leather head band?
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by JBBOND

In response to Rizzo's comment about officers chosing leather banded berets;

And at risk of repeating myself, during WWII and after, officers berets were ribbed silk, it was only in the 1970/80's that the unpopular other ranks beret with a ribbed cloth band was introduced, prior to that only officers berets had the ribbed banding.

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

Hello Jerry,
Sorry, I don't understand, are suggesting that no British Army officer in WW2 wore a beret with a leather head band?
Regards Frank

No Frank, that is not what I am saying, a number of officers seem to have used the leather trimmed other ranks issue beret including Urquhart (who wore a Kangol with the addition of a sweat diamond added to cover the makers marks) as did Browning and Gale among others.

All the examples of officers private purchase berets that I can find from WWII where this feature can be seen did have the ribbed silk edge band. All the examples of private purchase WWII berets shown in the Airborne headdress book by Fisher and Lock have this feature, with only those officers as mentioned above wearing the issue beret having leather edge bands.

[silverwash]

I believe the grist is private purchase

[NEMO]

With Respect to all parties -IF Jerry says this item is genuine an right. it will be

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by NEMO

With Respect to all parties -IF Jerry says this item is genuine an right. it will be

Thanks Michael.

[JON188]

[QUOTE=NEMO;450636]With Respect to all parties -IF Jerry says this item is genuine an right. it will be[/QUOTE
Good call Michael

[Unknownsoldier]

Looks good to me. I have Generals without Green backing on a commando beret IIRC, all dependant on what the officer wanted to do.